Proverbs 11
False scales, pride, gossip, scattering, trusting in wealth
Text
Explanation
.1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.   False balance Being fair and considerate of people we deal with is very important. le1935, de2513, am0805, mi0611. Almost all advertising today is deceptive. The words may be true but the implication is not.
  Weight Literally "stone."
.2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.   Pride ... then cometh shame Lucifer introduced evil to our universe. His pride was in imagining himself qualified to be like God is1412. His rebellion will end in universal contempt is1416. Also see on re1207. We need self-confidence. The pride addressed by the Bible is an abuse of proper confidence as sons and daughters of God.
  Lowly In the context, this is the righteous person is5715, ja0406.
 3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
.5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
.6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

  3 - Integrity The Hebrew word means to be complete, not in final perfection but in the process of development. Job was perfect in this sense although he needed more character development. See on jb0101,8.
  4 - Riches profit not The wrath would be the day of God's wrath jl02, is1306, re1409c. In that day wealth will not substitute for righteousness is0220., mt1923, je0923.
  5 - Perfect From the same root as the word "integrity" in v3. Noah was also "perfect" ge0609. Paul wrote that he was still reaching for the mark ph0312. The final generation will pass through the time of sealing when they will become fully without spot or wrinkle re0703, ep0526.
  5 - Shall direct The idea of the Hebrew word is to make smooth or straight. Temptation gradually ceases to cause us to stumble.
  6 - Naughtiness See on pr1003.
Image okay to copy, Text is Mark 8:36
.7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
 8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
  7 - Wicked man dieth According to the popular theory, the wicked go to hell where their evil expectations and hopes continue. See ec0904.
  8 - In his stead Or "instead of him." ex1426, es0710, da0624.
.9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.   Hypocrite From chaneph which is a secular or irreligious person. Some old manuscripts, however, have the modern meaning. The meaning of our verse is practically the same in either case. Compare pr1821.
 10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.
 11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. 
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 12  He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace. 
.13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 
 14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.
 15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.
  12 - Holdeth his peace Or "remains silent." We need to hesitate to criticize our neighbor. ga0601.
  14 -Counsel Friends can help us act wisely because they may have an insight that we lack. For important decisions, more counselors are better. pr2018, pr2406.
  15 - Surety See on pr0601.
 16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.
 17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.
 18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
 19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
  16 - Gracious woman ... strong men The woman's honor is often retained by saying, no. Instead of "strong" the adjective could be "ruthless." They cheat and kill for wealth.
  17 - Merciful man See mt0507, mt0701.
.20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
 21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.
 22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion. 
 23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
  20 - Froward heart Or "perverse" mind. pr0332, pr1220.
  23 - Wrath Here Hebrew ebrah meaning violent anger. The opposite is true for the righteous person ro0838, re1410.
.24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
 24 - A man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased; and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need. (BBE)
.25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. 
 26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.
 27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
 28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
 29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.
 30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. 
.31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.


  24 - Scattereth ... increaseth Sometimes scattering the blessings God has given us does not really help. We need to be generous while doing what we can to direct our gifts to those who really need them and will not waste them.
  26 - Withholdeth "Another example of the truth of verse 23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn." (JFB Commentatry)
  26 - Corn Holding back in order to demand an unfair profit is condemned. This is common today. Those who sell fairly are appreciated.
  30, 31  Tree of life It is a blessing for all in the New Earth re2202-le. So a righteous person provides joy and hope to those around him.
  30 - Winneth The word laqach most often translates as "to take." Taking souls by a righteous person is to influence them to receive salvation. Compare mr0117.
  31 - Recompensed in the earth For the righteous, see on ps03711. For the wicked, fire comes down from heaven. That means, to the earth re2009earth. mal0401.
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